(Updated April 25, 2008)

Check back often. A daily calendar of events and show times for the 2008 State Fair of Texas will be posted in September.

CHEVROLET MAIN STAGE: The Chevrolet Main Stage is an outdoor, festival-type venue surrounded by a vast blacktop. Past headliners include the Jonas Brothers, Christine Aguilera, the Dixie Chicks, Jars of Clay, Destiny's Child, Miranda Lambert, Los Lobos, Boyz II Men, Garth Brooks, Selena, Lou Rawls, Willie Nelson, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jay Perez and many more. FREE concerts (with Fair admission). Sponsored by Chevrolet.

CHEVY TEST DRIVE: Chevrolet is giving qualified drivers the keys to some of its hottest vehicles in the 2009 line-up. Fairgoers can test drive Chevy's most popular cars and trucks. Open daily. FREE.

'ILLUMINATION SENSATION!': Spectacular light show uses high tech visual effects, fire and pyrotechnics to capture the Fair's theme Ignite your Senses! Presented each night at 8 p.m. along the 700-ft. Esplanade reflecting pool. Sponsored by Mattress Firm. FREE.

DAREDEVILS: The world famous Nock Family thrills fairgoers in Gateway Plaza with their extraordinary talents. Multiple performances daily featuring sway poles, a motorcycle cage and acrobatic feats. Sponsored by McDonald's. FREE.

STARLIGHT PARADE: This after-dark favorite features illuminated floats, accompanied by giant puppets and characters in fantastic costumes. Nightly at 7:15 p.m. Sponsored by Kitchen Craft. FREE.

DREYER'S ENTERTAINMENT STAGE: Local entertainers bring their talents to this outdoor stage adjacent to Creative Arts. FREE.

BUD LIGHT TRUE MUSIC STAGE: State Fair visitors enjoy musical entertainment brought to this outdoor stage located in Cotton Plaza. FREE.

L'OREAL: L'Oréal Paris, one of the world's top beauty care brands, brings the latest trends and products to East Park Plaza. FREE.

EATING AS A SPORT: Eating competitions bring crowds to the Chevrolet Main Stage. Pre-selected contestants will fight for the winner's trophy in the Sixth Annual World Corny Dog Eating Championship (date to be announced). FREE.

TEXAS SKYWAY: High-flyin' fun and a panoramic view await passengers gliding above Fair Park in 34 Art Deco-inspired gondolas. The new attraction travels more than 1,800 ft. from one station to the other and accommodates passengers with strollers or wheelchairs. Sponsored by Mrs Baird's.

IKEA CELEBRITY KITCHEN: An incredible see-it-to-believe-it kitchen by IKEA provides the backdrop for this popular event in Creative Arts. Local and regional celebrity chefs demonstrate their artistry in daily shows. FREE.

BMX STUNT SHOW: The talented all-star 720 Action Sports team performs gravity-defying feats in the Thrillway. FREE.

MIDWAY LIGHTS: A Vegas-inspired, four-minute light show. Eyes turn skyward, as synchronized lights and pulsating music create a spectacle stretching along 2,200 ft. of prime real estate at the State Fair of Texas. Shows each night at 7, 8, 9 & 10 p.m. (plus 11 p.m. on Saturday). FREE.

STATE FAIR AUTO SHOW: Filling two exhibit halls and outdoor displays, the biggest new car and truck show in the Southwest features 2009 models, plus concept vehicles and weekend rallies for collectors. Admission is FREE for all State Fair visitors.

2009 TRUCK ZONE: Texans love trucks, and here's where to find the newest styles and accessories. Entertainment and the latest offerings from Chevy, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, GMC, as well as a few surprises. FREE.

SAND SCULPTURE: Big Tex meets King Tut in the Market Place when Team Sandtastic transforms 100 tons of sand into replicas of Big Tex and Tutankhamun. Young fairgoers have an opportunity to enjoy an archaeological dig located adjacent to the sculpture. Daily in the Coliseum. FREE.

LUXURY SHOWROOM: Premium nameplates abound in this special area of the Centennial Building featuring automakers' luxury and premium lines. Consider options and compare sticker prices on the newest from Lexus, Infiniti, Lincoln-Mercury, Chrysler, Cadillac and Saab. Daily, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. FREE.

CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER BARNYARD: Lots of animals to see, plus the popular nursery where sows, ewes, nanny goats and their young are spotlighted throughout the run of the Fair. Sponsored by Children's Medical Center. FREE.

CLASSIC CORRAL: Vintage T-birds, Mustangs, Harleys, Model A's, Jags, Camaros, Z's, Chris-Crafts, and more, in a revolving showcase. Meet the owners and club members on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting. Located across Grand Ave. from the African American Museum, on the lawn behind the Natural History Museum. Sponsored by Allstate.

PIG RACES: And, here they come, snout-to-snout, down the stretch, back by popular demand! Three times a day, visitors can "wager" on these wiggly piglets as they send the sawdust flying in the TXU Energy Arena. FREE.

BIRDS OF THE WORLD: Steve Martin's free-flight bird show celebrates its 20th consecutive year at the Fair with feathered performers from around the globe, plus a bird encounter area and more. Free shows, four times daily in the Band Shell. Sponsored by Kroger. FREE.

STATE FAIR OF TEXAS WINE GARDEN: Fairgoers can explore the world of wine in an attractive courtyard setting. Wine experts will conduct Wine 101 classes, and Texas vintners will be available to answer questions during scheduled tastings throughout the run of the Fair. Located on Nimitz Drive across the street from the Creative Arts Building. Sponsored by Kroger Food Stores.

SCHEPPS BACKYARD CIRCUS: Imaginations soar when younger kids dress up in costumes and take part in a show that features lion tamers, tight-rope walkers, ballerinas and a host of circus favorites. Sponsored by Schepps Dairy. FREE.

"WORLD ON A STRING" PUPPET SHOW: Master puppeteer John Hardman and his cast of marionettes present FREE shows throughout the day in Creative Arts' Showplace Theater. Sponsored by Mr. Coffee. FREE.

HOT DIGGITY DOG SHOWS: It's all dogs all the time as Lou Mack's 'Top Flight K-9s' star in action-packed daily performances. The Top Flight troupe takes center stage in the day; midafternoon and evening performances belong to "Dancing with the Dogs," Pam Martin's canine stars in the TXU Energy Arena. FREE.

PEE WEE STAMPEDE: Got a young buckaroo looking for some ropin' and ridin' action? Little ones are invited to grab some chaps and a hat, jump on a stick horse or bull, and go for it in the arena. Encouragement comes from the audience; the kids provide the show. Daily, in the Ranch Arena. Co-sponsored by Meow Mix and OPERATION® Rescue Kit Game. FREE.

UNITED STATES MARINES: Straight from Washington, D.C., the famed U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps thrills the crowds in afternoon concerts at Marine Corps Square and in the evening parade from Sept. 26 – October 12 (except Wednesdays). FREE.

TEXAS LOTTERY SHOW: Zany games with prizes attract lottery fans to this hot spot of Fairtime fun. Four shows daily at 2, 4, 6, and 8 p.m. Sponsored by Texas Lottery Commission.

ENTERTAINMENT STAGES AND STREET PERFORMERS: Talented and unique entertainers perform on street corners or small stages scattered throughout the park.

STATE FAIR FALL GARDEN EXHIBITION: The dirt will fly as landscaping companies vie for Best of Show bragging rights in this annual gardening competition. Median strips, traffic isles and fountain bases throughout Fair Park will feature the landscapers' creations. Design and planting information is available each step of the way. FREE.

BIG TEX GARDEN RAILWAY: Designer and landscape artist Paul Busse creates an imaginative train display that appeals to young and old alike. Located in Big Tex Circle. FREE.

MIDWAY: More than 70 exciting rides and shows in this neon playground, including the Texas SkyWay® gondola ride, the 212-foot Texas Star® Ferris wheel and a 1914 Dentzel carousel. For an adrenaline rush, the Thrillway offers the latest in X-treme experiences. Rides, games, shows, souvenirs and fantastic food-on-a-stick make the Midway one of the fair's most popular destinations.

LIVESTOCK BREED DISPLAYS: Cows, pigs, sheep and goats are showcased in breed displays on modern livestock production. Free exhibits located in Cattle Barn 1 and the Swine Building.

LITTLE HANDS ON THE FARM: Young visitors enjoy an opportunity to 'experience' life on a farm. Chores include egg-gathering, planting and harvesting vegetables, and feeding and milking a cow. The cycle is complete when kids receive play money for grocery shopping at the store. Sponsored by Bank of America, Dreyer's Ice Cream, AT&T, and Tom Thumb. FREE.

SPIRIT OF THE HORSE: Visitors line the fences when this fascinating show begins. Equine expert Robert Liner demonstrates his methods of training and communicating with horses. Daily, in the Ranch Arena. FREE.

LIVESTOCK: Diligence and countless hours pay off for 4H and FFA exhibitors at the Youth Livestock Auction of Champions on Oct. 3. A roster of shows and sales offers an array of beef and dairy cattle, sheep, swine, goats, poultry and exotic breeds.

MILKING PARLOR: Cows from nearby farms are brought to the Fair for an entertaining and educational exhibit of modern milking procedures. Daily demonstrations in Cattle Pavilion 1. Sponsored by Southwest Dairy Museum. FREE.

SHOPPING? More than 300 exhibitors offer the practical, the unusual - and everything in between. Shopping opportunities abound at the Market Place in the Coliseum, Grand Place, the Crafts Pavilion, the Centennial Building (inside and out), Gateway Pavilion, the Embarcadero, East Park/Gateway and the Pennsylvania Gate.

GUIDED LIVESTOCK TOURS: City dwellers can catch a fascinating look at the State Fair livestock barns and pavilions in this 50-minute guided tour by Moo U. Groups embark every 15 minutes on the corner near "Little Hands on the Farm." Daily, except Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. FREE.

CREATIVE ARTS: Synonymous with fairs everywhere, this is the place to find ribbon-winners in more than 1,100 categories, including canning, quilts, photography and crafts. Contest kitchens feature daily competitions and cooking demonstrations. FREE.

TEXAS GARDEN RAILWAY: Designer and landscape artist Paul Busse creates an imaginative train display that appeals to young and old alike. FREE.

FAIR PARK MUSEUMS: Many visitors include a trip to one or more of the museums during a visit to the State Fair of Texas. Fair Park museums include the African American Museum, Continental DAR House, Dallas Aquarium, Museum of the American Railroad, Museum of Nature & Science, Hall of State, Texas Discovery Gardens and The Women's Museum.

Please note: All information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to your visit.